OMSI Star Party: Comet Viewing Party

(11/22/13 @ 3:15 pm) The weather forecast indicates clear and cold conditions for Saturday morning at Milo McIver State Park. Please drive extra careful as the roads maybe bare but there are still some black ice and frozen fog in some areas. Please have warm clothes and good shoes for the viewing. Jim Todd

Skywatchers are invited to join experts in tracking the two brightening comets, ISON and Lovejoy, on Saturday, November 23, at a Comet Viewing Party! Comet lovers will be meeting at Milo McIver State Park in Estacada from 5:00 to 7:00 am to watch and enjoy the wonder of the comets. The event, sponsored by OMSI, the Rose City Astronomers, and Oregon Parks and Recreations will have telescopes set up for attendees to use. OMSI Space Science Director, Jim Todd, will be presenting informal talks about the comets and the autumn night sky. As a bonus, ISON will be 4.7 degrees to the planets Mercury and Saturn, respectively and the International Space Station will be visible at 5:16 am.

On the scheduled day of the Comet Viewing Party, it is suggested that interested visitors call the OMSI Star Parties Hotline, (503) 797-4000 #3 then #5, or check the OMSI Star Parties web site http://www.omsi.edu/starparties for possible weather-related cancellations. The event starts at 5:00 am and is free with $5 parking per vehicle. Warm clothing is a must, and a flashlight with red light is recommended. Personal telescopes and binoculars are always welcome.

To reach Milo McIver State Park (24101 S Entrance Road, Estacada, OR), from I-205, take OR-213 S to Redland Road unto S. Redland Road, turn right on S. Springwater Road and turn left to S Entrance Road. The park is located 23 miles southeast of Portland.